Kingsville
At 3,920 residents packed into 0.73 square kilometres, Kingsville ranks among Melbourne's most densely populated pockets at 5,406 people per km2. Its most striking feature is the income profile: household income sits at the 83.5th percentile nationally despite a median age of 37, three years younger than the national figure. University qualifications reach 54.6%, which is 24.5 percentage points above the national average, pointing to a young professional base that has bid the median house price to $1,125,000. Gentrification is classified as active with a score of 45, and rents have climbed 42.8% over the measured period, outpacing the income growth of 30.8%.
Population
3,920
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,195/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
1
Median House
$1.1M
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price hit $1,125,000 in the Apr-Jun 2024 quarter, down 18.2% from its peak of $1,375,000 in Jul-Sep 2023, so buyers are entering below the recent high watermark. The long-run picture is more sobering: prices rose 77.2% from the $635,000 trough in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% over 14 years. Separate houses make up 61.4% of the stock, with 2-bedroom dwellings the most common at 36.9% and 3-bedroom at 42.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,370, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is modest compared to other inner-Melbourne suburbs at similar price points. Outright owners account for 20.8% of households, lower than state norms, reflecting the younger buyer profile.
For Buyers
The median house price hit $1,125,000 in the Apr-Jun 2024 quarter, down 18.2% from its peak of $1,375,000 in Jul-Sep 2023, so buyers are entering below the recent high watermark. The long-run picture is more sobering: prices rose 77.2% from the $635,000 trough in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% over 14 years. Separate houses make up 61.4% of the stock, with 2-bedroom dwellings the most common at 36.9% and 3-bedroom at 42.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,370, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is modest compared to other inner-Melbourne suburbs at similar price points. Outright owners account for 20.8% of households, lower than state norms, reflecting the younger buyer profile.
For Investors
A 37.9% renter share and weekly rent of $355 give landlords a solid tenant base, but yield compresses against the $1,125,000 median. The vacancy rate at 12.9% is high and warrants monitoring, particularly for apartments which form 22.8% of stock. Demand fundamentals are positive: overseas migration contributes a net 191 residents annually while internal migration produces an outflow of 167, leaving overseas arrivals as the primary growth driver. Rent growth of 42.8% over the measured period has outstripped most comparable suburbs, supported by the high-income professional demographic. The gentrification stage is active with a score of 45, and the 10-year population change of 10.6% confirms ongoing demand momentum rather than a stagnant market.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1
Last 12 Months
1
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kingsville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Corpus Christi School
Prep-6 · 181 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, placing Kingsville firmly in the young-professional cohort. University qualifications at 54.6% run 24.5 percentage points above the national average, one of the more striking education gaps you find in Melbourne's inner west. Overseas-born residents make up 28.0%, which is 6.4 points above national. Ancestry is dominated by Anglo-Celtic roots: English (1,309), Irish (593) and Scottish (504) are the top three, with Italian (247) adding a Mediterranean thread consistent with the suburb's historical character. Average household size is 2.3, marginally below the national figure by 0.2. Couples with children (1,609) outnumber couples without children (708), suggesting the suburb appeals to families willing to accept the high density in exchange for inner-city access.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
61.4%
Houses
15.1%
Townhouse
22.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits show 41.4% of households carrying a mortgage and 37.9% renting, with only 20.8% owning outright, a pattern typical of younger, high-income, high-price suburbs where wealth has not yet converted into debt-free ownership. Separate houses dominate at 61.4%, which is high for the density level and helps explain why detached-house prices stay elevated. Apartments account for 22.8% and semi-detached for 15.1%. Three-bedroom dwellings at 42.6% and two-bedroom at 36.9% cover nearly 80% of the stock, leaving 4-plus bedroom homes at just 10.6%. From trough to latest, prices rose 77.2% over 14 years, though the market has pulled back 18.2% from its Jul-Sep 2023 peak of $1,375,000. Rent-to-income at 16.2% means tenants are not in financial stress relative to state norms.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,370
Rent / wk
$355
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,202
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.9%
Unoccupied
235
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.8%
Couples, no children
2,977
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 15.0% of the local workforce (265 workers), followed closely by Professional and Technical services at 14.3% (252) and Education at 13.0% (229). Public Administration contributes 9.6% and Construction 6.3%, the latter consistent with Melbourne's ongoing development pipeline. By occupation, Professionals are the largest group (822) and Managers second (412), together representing more than half of employed residents. The unemployment rate is 4.6% and full-time employment rate is 67.1%, with a participation rate of 69.9%. The SEIFA profile shows a clear split: the IEO decile of 10 (education and occupation advantage) and IRSAD decile of 9 are both well above average nationally, yet the IRSD decile of 8 sits lower, indicating pockets of disadvantage that the high income averages can obscure.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
6,784
Unemployed
234
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.1%
Part-time
28.3%
Participation
69.9%
Employed
2,073
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.6%
Postgraduate
16.6%
Born Overseas
28.0%
Dwellings
1,578
Transport to Work
Car use at 77.6% is high for an inner suburb this close to the Melbourne CBD, though active transport (walking and cycling) at 9.6% is above the average for comparable suburbs. Public transport use at 8.7% reflects the suburb's positioning between train lines rather than directly on one. The crime rate is 56.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences accounting for 174 of 223 total incidents, a pattern typical of dense inner suburbs where opportunistic property crime concentrates. The IRSAD decile of 9 places the suburb in the top advantage tier nationally on the combined measure of advantage and disadvantage. Only 5.8% of residents require daily assistance, and the volunteering rate of 13.6% is moderate. No schools are recorded within the 0.73 km2 boundary, so families depend on nearby institutions.
Drive
77.6%
Public Transport
8.7%
Walk / Cycle
9.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.57%/yr
(+56 people/yr)
EstablishedThe SA2 area covering Kingsville grew from 9,534 residents in 2023 to 9,748 in 2025, tracking the forecast of roughly 56 additional residents per year at a 0.57% annual rate. The 10-year population change is 10.6%, solidly above the modest growth rates typical of established inner suburbs. Medium forecasts project the area reaching 10,132 by 2031. The post-COVID recovery is complete: the area dipped 4.6% to a low of 9,363, fully recovered to 9,722 by 2024, and is now 3.8% above the COVID trough. Overseas migration at a net 191 annually is the primary driver, as internal migration runs at a net outflow of 167. Real income growth of 30.8% and rent growth of 42.8% over the decade confirm the suburb is absorbing demand faster than supply can respond.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+191
Net Internal / yr
-167
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011, Net internal outflow -167/yr, COVID recovered (-5% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
223
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
56.9
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kingsville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingsville a good suburb to live in?
Kingsville scores decile 10 on the IEO index and decile 9 on IRSAD, both in the top advantage tier nationally. Household income sits at the 83.5th percentile nationally and university qualifications reach 54.6%, which is 24.5 points above the national figure. The main trade-off is the $1,125,000 median house price and a high density of 5,406 people per km2.
What is the median house price in Kingsville?
The median house price is $1,125,000 as at Apr-Jun 2024, down 18.2% from its peak of $1,375,000 in Jul-Sep 2023. Prices have risen 77.2% from the $635,000 trough in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,370 and weekly rent averages $355.
What schools are in Kingsville?
No schools are recorded within the Kingsville boundary in this dataset. The suburb covers only 0.73 km2, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite no local schools, residents are highly educated, with 54.6% holding university qualifications, which is 24.5 points above the national average.
Is Kingsville safe?
The total crime rate is 56.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 174 of 223 incidents classified as property and deception offences, which is the dominant category for inner-Melbourne suburbs. Crimes against the person number 21. The IRSAD decile of 9 places the suburb in the top advantage tier nationally, with only 5.8% of residents needing daily assistance.
Is Kingsville good for property investment?
Rent growth of 42.8% over the measured period and a 37.9% renter share support the investment case. The gentrification stage is classified as active with a score of 45, and 10-year population growth is 10.6%. The vacancy rate of 12.9% is elevated and should be monitored. Gross yield against the $1,125,000 median and $355 weekly rent is modest, so returns depend on continued capital growth rather than yield.
How is Kingsville's population changing?
The SA2 area grew from 9,534 in 2023 to 9,748 in 2025, tracking an annual rate of 0.57% or roughly 56 additional people per year. The 10-year population change is 10.6%. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 191 per year, offset by a net internal outflow of 167. Medium forecasts project the area reaching 10,132 by 2031.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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